[0001] The present invention relates generally to closure mechanisms for containers and
more particularly to a closure mechanism in which a cap is slidably coupled to an
adapter affixed to or integrally formed with the top of the container, whereby the
cap may be retained on the container and clamped against the adapter in response to
sliding movement of the cap relative to the adapter against opposing ramped surfaces.
[0002] Various closure devices for containers have been devised. For example, French Patent
No. 917849 describes a cap mechanism and a separate pivotal removal mechanism with
a pin positioned in a slot to attach the cap to the container. The cap moves laterally
until the pin is in a narrow part of the slot at which point a flange is engaged under
a lip of the cap. As the device is pivoted, the cap is forced loose after which it
remains attached. The cap is then moveable along the groove to a position adjacent
to the side of the bottle. However, this device does not provide a clamping mechanism
whereby coaction between opposing ramped surfaces and the connecting mechanism effects
clamping between a cap and an adapter whereby the slot and pin, in cooperation with
ramped surfaces, enable clamping as well as pivotal movement.
[0003] Another pin and slot mechanism, but without a clamping mechanism provided by opposing
ramped surfaces, is illustrated in US-A-2792144.
[0004] Other closure devices have incorporated opposing ramped surfaces such as the container
closure structure in US-A-2881942. However, this closure mechanism does not incorporate
a pin and slot mechanism whereby the cap is retained on the container and facilitates
the clamping action between the opposing ramped surfaces.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure
device for selectively closing an opening in a container, the closure device comprising:
an adapter located on the container so that the opening of the container is within
a central opening in an upwardly-facing adapter closure surface of the adapter; and
a cap having a downwardly-facing cap closure surface which is slidable transversely
across the adapter closure surface between an opened position in which the cap is
displaced from the central opening and a closed position in which the cap closure
surface closes the central opening,
the adapter having a first ramped surface and the cap having a second ramped surface,
the first ramped surface sliding relative to the second ramped surface when the cap
slides into the closed position,
wherein one of the cap and the adapter has opposed slots extending generally parallel
therein and having a slot stop at one end, and the other of the cap and the adapter
has respective pins located in the slots,
the pins and slots retaining the cap on the adapter in the opened and closed positions,
and cooperating with each ramped surface when the cap slides into the closed position,
thereby to cause the cap and the adapter to press against each other, wherein
the first ramped surface comprises the adapter closure surface and the second ramped
surface comprises the cap closure surface.
[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure
device for selectively closing an opening in a container, the closure device comprising:
an adapter located on the container so that the opening of the container is within
a central opening in an upwardly-facing adapter closure surface of the adapter; and
a cap having a downwardly-facing cap closure surface which is slidable transversely
across the adapter closure surface between an opened position in which the cap is
displaced from the central opening and a closed position in which the cap closure
surface closes the central opening,
the adapter having at least one first ramped surface be ramped relative to the adapter
closure surface, and the cap having at least one second ramped surface being ramped
relative to the cap closure surface, the or each first ramped surface sliding relative
to the or each second ramped surface when the cap slides into the closed position,
wherein one of the cap and the adapter has opposed slots extending generally parallel
therein and having a slot stop at one end, and the other of the cap and the adapter
has respective pins located in the slots, the pins and slots retaining the cap on
the adapter in the opened position, and
the or each first ramped surface sliding relative to the or each second ramped surface
when the pins are moved in the slots, thereby causing the cap and the adapter to press
against each other as the cap slides into the closed position.
[0007] The closure device may have a pair of first ramped surfaces, each comprising a downwardly-facing
ramped surface defined by a lip projecting outwardly from a respective pair of outwardly-facing
side surfaces of the adapter, and a pair of second ramped surfaces, each comprising
an upwardly-facing ramped surface defined by a lip projecting inwardly from a respective
pair of side members extending down from opposing edges of a top member of the cap,
the top member including the cap closure surface.
[0008] In one embodiment, each of the pair of outwardly-facing side surfaces of the adapter
has one of the slots extending generally parallel to the adapter closure surface and
and each side member of the cap may have one of the inwardly-projecting pins positioned
thereon to engage one of the slots in the adapter.
[0009] In another embodiment, each of the pair of outwardly-facing side surfaces of the
adapter has one of the outwardly projecting pins; and each side member of the cap
has one of the slots extending generally parallel to the cap closure surface.
[0010] The closure device of the invention may further comprise a resiliently compressible
sealing ply which is positioned between the adapter closure surface and the cap closure
surface when the cap is in the closed position. The sealing ply may be affixed to
the cap closure surface.
[0011] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure
device in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention, modified in
that the adapter is for locating on the container.
[0012] The adapter of this aspect of the invention may have a cylindrical hole therethrough,
extending from the adapter closure surface and having an internal threaded region
for mating with an external threaded region of a container adjacent the opening thereof.
[0013] The invention also provides a closure device in accordance with the second aspect
of the present invention located on a container such that an upper cylindrical lip
of the container extends slightly above the adapter closure surface for contacting
the cap closure surface. The lip of the container may press against the sealing ply.
[0014] The cap closure surface preferably has a recess therein which is in juxtaposition
with the container lip when the cap is in the closed position, the sealing ply being
positioned in the recess.
[0015] The closure device of the invention preferably further comprises latch means for
latching the cap and the adapter together and preventing movement between the cap
and the adapter.
[0016] In one embodiment, the closure apparatus includes an adapter which is mounted or
otherwise integrally moulded with and on the top of the container adjacent to the
container opening and a cap which is moveable relative to the adapter between an opened
position and a closed position over the container opening. The cap is attached to
the adapter by a coupling mechanism or a coupler which enables the cap to slide relative
to the adapter between the closure position and the non-closure position while being
retained on the adapter, and hence the container. Additionally, the closure apparatus
of this embodiment includes a clamping apparatus interposed between the adapter and
the cap whereby the adapter and the cap are urged into a pressing engagement with
each other to close the container as the cap slides from the opened position into
the closure position. In this embodiment, the adapter mounted to or integrally formed
with the container has an upwardly facing adapter closure surface with a centre opening
aligned with the container opening. The adapter has a pair of outwardly facing side
surfaces each of which has a slot extending generally parallel to the adapter top
surface with a slot stop at one end. An outwardly projecting lip from each side surface
defines a down-facing ramped surface relative to the adapter closure surface. The
cap of this embodiment has a top member with a down-facing cap closure surface positioned
to engage the adapter closure surface to close the container opening. The cap further
has a pair of side members which extend down from the opposing edges of the top member
with each side member having an inwardly-projecting lip defining an upwardly-projecting
surface ramped relative to the cap closure surface and juxtaposed in facing relationship
to one of the downwardly-facing ramped surfaces of the adapter. The cap finally has
a pair of inwardly projecting retention pins which are positioned to engage the slots
in the adapter. Thus, the cap is slidingly retained on the adapter. The cap ramped
surfaces and the adapter ramped surfaces engage each other so as to urge the cap closure
surface towards the adapter closure surface as the cap is slidingly moved relative
to the adapter into a closure position over the container opening.
[0017] Various mechanisms comprising the clamping means may be incorporated to provide the
opposing ramped surfaces. For example, the slot itself may be ramped relative to the
adapter and cap closure surfaces so that as the pin slides along the ramped slot,
the closure surfaces are gradually brought into contact with one another. Similarly,
the closure surfaces of the cap and adapter themselves may be ramped with two pins
on each side, one smaller to allow it to disengage from the slot when the cap is in
the opened position and one larger to be retained in the slot and hence keep the cap
attached to the adapter when the cap is in the opened position. Consequently, when
the two pins move along each slot, the ramped surfaces come in contact and press against
one another to provide the clamping between the cap and the adapter.
[0018] A suitable latch mechanism may be incorporated with the cap to latch the cap onto
the adapter selectively to prevent sliding movement of the cap.
[0019] Thus, the present invention provides a novel closure device which incorporates a
pin and slot interconnection means between a cap and an adapter and which also incorporates
at least one ramped surface which cooperates with the pin and slot to pull the cap
into a tight fit over the top of the container as the cap moves from an opened position
to a closed position.
[0020] The closure device of the present invention may be incorporated in virtually any
type of container where a lid or other closure mechanism is employed, including bowls,
dishes, trays, wastebaskets, trash cans, pitchers, boxes and even doors. For example,
the closure device of the invention may be incorporated in toy boxes whereby the lid
of the toy box slides to one side (or to the front or back) and then pivots into a
stored position against the side (or front or back) of the box thereby enhancing safety
by preventing the lid of the box from dropping down onto a child's hand, fingers or
head. In certain configurations where the container has limited depth, the lid may
be further pivoted into a stored position underneath the box.
[0021] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried
into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying
drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the invention showing the cap and adapter
in place on a container;
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are side views of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating the interconnection
and movement of the cap relative to the adapter;
Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention, showing an alternative
coupling mechanism between the cap and the adapter and also illustrating a mechanism
for attaching the adapter to the container;
Figure 6 is a side view of an adapter where the clamping surface comprises opposing
ramped closure surfaces on the adapter;
Figures 7 and 7A are a front and side view respectively of a cap utilized with the
adapter of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a side view of another embodiment of an adapter where the clamping surface
comprises opposing ramped closure surfaces on the adapter;
Figures 9 and 9A are a front and side view respectively of a cap utilized with the
adapter of Figure 8;
Figures 10, 11 and 12 are side views of the invention as applied to a shallow box;
Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 illustrate a releasable latch mechanism which may optionally
be incorporated to releasably latch the cap to the adapter to prevent sliding movement
of the cap relative to the adapter from a closure position to a non-closure position;
and
Figure 17 is a side view of the invention as applied to a deep box in contrast to
the shallow box illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12.
[0022] Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of the container closure device 60 according
to the invention is illustrated affixed to the top of a container 10 having a container
opening 52 through which the interior of the container 50 is accessed. The container
closure device 60 includes an adapter 62 which is shown affixed to, but may be integrally
formed with, the container 50 adjacent the container opening 52 and a cap 64 which
is movably attached to the adapter 62 in a manner described hereafter.
[0023] The adapter 62 includes a top adapter member 65 which defines an adapter closure
surface 66 oriented to face upwardly away from the container opening 52. A downwardly-projecting
side member 70 projects down from the top adapter member 65 towards the container
50 and has a centre opening 68 which is aligned with the container opening 52. The
side member 70 defines at least a pair of outwardly-facing flat side surfaces 72 and
74 which have respective outwardly-projecting lips 76 and 78. The outwardly-projecting
lips 76 and 78 respectively define a first down-facing adapter surface 80 and a second
down-facing adapter surface 82. The adapter surfaces 80 and 82 define ramped surfaces
which cooperate with corresponding ramp surfaces in the cap (described hereafter)
to effect a clamping of the cap 64 against the adapter closure surface 66.
[0024] The side surfaces 72 and 74 also include inwardly directed slots 84 and 86 respectively,
each of the slots 84 and 86 being positioned below the ramped adapter surfaces 80
and 82, respectively.
[0025] The cap 64 has a top member 90 which defines a downwardly-facing cap closure surface
92 positioned to press against the adapter closure surface 66 in response to the closure
of the cap on the adapter in a manner described hereafter. The cap 64 also includes
a pair of side members 94 and 96, each of which extends downwardly from opposite edges
of the top member 90 adjacent the outwardly-facing side surfaces 72 and 74 of the
adapter 62. Extending inwardly from the lower portion of each of the side members
94 and 96 are inwardly-projecting lips 98 and 100 which define a pair of cap ramped
surfaces 102 and 104 aligned in facing relationship to the adapter ramped surfaces
80 and 82, respectively. Also extending from the lower portion of each side member
94 and 96 is a pair of retention pins 106 and 108 respectively, which are aligned
to be inserted into the adapter slots 84 and 86, respectively.
[0026] Figure 2 shows a side view of the adapter 62 with the slot 86 extending along the
side 74 and the cap 64 with the retention pin 108 for locating in the slot 86. In
order to ensure that the pin remains in the slots 84 and 86, a slot stop 110 is positioned
at one end of each of the slots. Also illustrated in Figure 2 is the adapter ramped
surface 82 and the opposing cap ramped surface 104. In operation, as the cap 64 with
the pin 108 located in the slot 86 is moved from a non-closure position where the
pin is adjacent the slot stop 110 towards a closure position where the pin 108 is
positioned adjacent the open end of the slot, the cap ramped surface 104 and the adapter
ramped surface 82 will start spaced apart from one another but will begin to move
towards one another with the space between the two ramped surfaces decreasing until
the pin nears the open end of the slot 86. At that time, the cap ramped surface 104
will contact and begin to slide along the adapter ramped surface 82. This will cause
the cap closure surface 92 (Figure 1) to move vertically towards the adapter closure
surface 66 until the adapter closure surface and cap closure surface 66 and 92 respectively
are tightly pressing against one another in clamping relationship, caused by the pressing
of the cap ramped surface 104 against the adapter ramp surface 82. This clamping effect
occurs before the pin 108 reaches the open end of the slot, thereby preventing the
cap from being removed from the adapter 62. By providing the two ramped surfaces which
interact in such a way that, as one slides along the other, the cap closure surface
92 is forced towards and against the adapter closure surface 66, a tight closure over
the opening of the adapter 62 and hence the opening of the container 52 is thus achieved.
[0027] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, when the cap 64 is moved from the closure position
(with the pin 108 adjacent the open end of the slot 86) to the opened position (with
the pin 108 adjacent the slot stop 110), the cap 64 can be pivoted 90 degrees and
moved downwardly along the side of the container 50. Accordingly, the cap 64 can be
retained on the adapter member 62 adjacent the side of the container 50 without being
removed or lost, while at the same time providing access to the interior of the container
50 through the opening in the adapter 62.
[0028] In Figure 5 another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment,
slots 150 and 152 are disposed in side members 154 and 156, respectively, of cap 164.
Suitable pins 158 and 160 respectively, are disposed to project from the side members
162 and 163 of the adapter 166 into the slots 150 and 152. Thus, the coupling means
between the cap 164 and the adapter 166 is provided by the pins 158 and 160 extending
from the adapter 166 into slots 150 and 152 in the cap 164 rather than from pins extending
from the cap into slots in the adapter as in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4.
[0029] The adapter 166 has an internal thread 170 which is adapted to mate with an external
thread 172 on the container 148 adjacent the opening of the container. The adapter
166 can then be screwed onto the top of the container 148. An adapter closure surface
174 is positioned on the adapter 166 to extend circumferentially around the top of
the container 148 so that an upper cylindrical lip 176 of the container 148 extends
slightly above the adapter closure surface 174. The cap 164 is provided with a top
member 178 which optionally has a sealing ply 182 which is, for example, positioned
in a circular recess 181 which is about the same diameter as the container lip 176
to define a cap closure surface 180. Thus, the upper cylindrical lip 176 of the container
148 extends slightly above the adapter closure surface 174 and into the recess 181
to come in contact with, and resiliently press against, the sealing ply 182. In addition,
the upper cylindrical lip 176 extends into the recess 181 to retain and provide locking
and additional sealing, even after the cap 164 has been moved into its closed position
relative to the adapter 166.
[0030] In operation, the adapter 166 is initially screwed onto the top of the container
148 so that the container cylindrical upper lip 176 is either flush with or below
the closure surface 174 of the adapter 166. After the cap 164 has been moved into
its closed position with the adapter closure surface 174 adjacent to and pressing
against the cap closure surface 180, the adapter 166 is rotated slightly to cause
the container upper lip 176 to move into the recess 181 and lock the cap onto the
container. If the sealing ply 182 is present, the slight rotation also causes the
cap to press against the sealing ply 182 to provide a particularly effective air tight
seal for the container 148.
[0031] Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 7A, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated
showing an alternative clamping means. In Figures 1 to 5, the clamping means consisted
of opposing ramped surfaces on the adapter and the cap. In this embodiment, the clamping
means is provided by having the closure surface 204 of the adapter 201 and the closure
surface 206 of the cap 205 being suitably ramped. Thus, as the pin 200 moves along
the slot 202, the ramped adapter closure surface 204 comes into contact with the ramped
cap closure surface 206, the clamping effect being provided by the edges of the pin
200 pressing against the edges of the slot 202 (and a corresponding pin and slot,
not shown, on the opposite side of the adapter 201).
[0032] An alternative embodiment of the adapter and cap arrangement in accordance with the
invention is illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 9A. As in Figures 6, 7 and 7A, the clamping
means is provided by having the closure surface 604 of the adapter 601 and the closure
surface 606 of the cap 605 being suitably ramped, so that, as the pin 600 moves along
the slot 602, the ramped adapter closure surface 604 will come into contact with the
ramped cap closure surface 606. The clamping effect is then provided by the edges
of the pin 600 pressing against the edges of the slot 602 (and a corresponding pin
and slot, not shown, on the opposite side of the adapter 601). To facilitate even
clamping across the entire closure surface, opposing horizontal surfaces 603 in the
adapter 601 and horizontal surface 607 in the cap 605 are provided to come into contact
with each other as the ramped closure surfaces come in contact with each other.
[0033] To retain the cap 605 in the closed position on the adapter 604, the slot 602 is
provided with a narrowed neck region 608. In moving towards the closed position, the
pin 600 is pressed through the neck 608 into a front slot region 609 where it will
be retained until the pin 600 is again pressed through the neck region 608 to cause
the cap to move into the open position.
[0034] Turning to Figures 10, 11 and 12, the present invention may be incorporated as part
of any container, not just a container with a circular or cylindrical opening. For
example, the present invention is equally adaptable to a container with a square or
rectangular opening, such as a box, where it is desired to keep the lid of the box
attached to the body of the box while moving the lid into an out-of-the-way storage
position when it is not covering the body of the box. Thus, Figure 10 shows a square
or rectangular box 300 with an adapter 301 including a member defining an adapter
ramped surface 302. A top 304 has a corresponding and opposing top ramp surface 306
which is juxtaposed in facing relationship to the adapter ramped surface 302 in a
manner such as that illustrated in Figure 1. A suitable slot 308 is provided in the
adapter 300 and a pin 310 extends from the top 304 into the slot 308.
[0035] As the top 304 is moved from a closed position, with the pin 310 positioned adjacent
the open end of the slot 308, to the open position, with the pin 310 against the slot
stop 312, the adapter ramp surface 302 disengages from the top ramp surface 306. When
the pin 310 reaches the slot stop 312, the entire top 304 can be pivoted downwardly
to a stored position adjacent the side or end 314 of the box 300, as illustrated in
Figure 13. Further, compact storage of the top 304 can be achieved by further rotating
the top through a full 180 degrees so that the bottom of the box fits into and nests
in the top 304 in the manner shown in Figure 12. Once the top is in this storage position,
it is possible easily to remove the top from the box by sliding the pins along the
slot until they exit the front of the slot. The top can thereby be detached from the
box. Of course, if the container is deep rather than shallow, as illustrated in Figure
17, then the top 530 will only rotate 90 degrees when the pin 534 reaches the end
of the slot 536 of the adapter 532.
[0036] Turning to Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16, the present invention may further include a
latch mechanism for latching the cap to the adapter. Referring particularly to Figure
13, a typical cap 400 includes a resilient but permanent inwardly-protruding first
retention nib 402 on the back side of the cap and a pivotal latch 404 on the front
side opposite the back side. The latch 404 is pivotal about a pivot or hinge means
406 and includes a second retention nib 408. The cap 400 is adapted to mate with a
corresponding adapter 410, illustrated in Figure 14. The adapter 410 includes a first
nib retention slot or groove 412 on its back side and a second nib retention slot
414 on its front side opposite the back side. The slots as above described are then
in the sides connecting the front and back sides.
[0037] Turning to Figure 15, the nib 402 is positioned in the nib slot 412 with the latch
404 pivoted until the nib 408 snaps into the nib slot 414. To unlatch the cap so it
can be slidingly moved to an opened position, a lip 416 on the latch 404 is pressed
upwardly to cause the latch 404 to move until the nib 408 is released from slot 414.
The cap 400 is then pressed towards the open position until the nib 402 is displaced
from the nib slot 412, thereby enabling the cap 400 to be slidingly moved from the
closed position to the opened position.
[0038] Turning again to Figure 14, the slot 420 may have a downwardly-protruding portion
422. This portion 422 is provided so that, when the cap is moved to the opened position
and is rotated to a position next to the side of the container, the latch 404 will
be located below the top surface of the adapter. This will occur as the pin 424 moves
down the short slot portion 422. Otherwise, the latch 404 may protrude above the top
of the adapter.
1. A closure device (60) for selectively closing an opening (52) in a container (50),
the closure device (60) comprising:
an adapter (201) located on the container (50) so that the opening (52) of the container
(50) is within a central opening (204) in an upwardly-facing adapter closure surface
(204) of the adapter (201); and
a cap (205) having a downwardly-facing cap closure surface (206) which is slidable
transversely across the adapter closure surface (204) between an opened position in
which the cap (205) is displaced from the central opening and a closed position in
which the cap closure surface (206) closes the central opening,
the adapter (201) having a first ramped surface (204) and the cap (205) having a second
ramped surface (206), the first ramped surface (204) sliding relative to the second
ramped surface (206) when the cap (205) slides into the closed position,
wherein one of the cap (205) and the adapter (201) has opposed slots (202) extending
generally parallel therein and having a slot stop at one end, and the other of the
cap (205) and the adapter (201) has respective pins (200) located in the slots (202),
the pins (200) and slots (202) retaining the cap (205) on the adapter (201) in the
opened and closed positions, and cooperating with each ramped surface (204, 206) when
the cap (205) slides into the closed position, thereby to cause the cap (205) and
the adapter (201) to press against each other,
wherein the first ramped surface comprises the adapter closure surface (204) and
the second ramped surface comprises the cap closure surface (206).
2. A closure device (60) for selectively closing an opening (52) in a container (50),
the closure device (60) comprising:
an adapter (62) located on the container (50) so that the opening (52) of the container
(50) is within a central opening (68) in an upwardly-facing adapter closure surface
(66) of the adapter (62); and
a cap (64) having a downwardly-facing cap closure surface (92) which is slidable transversely
across the adapter closure surface (66) between an opened position in which the cap
(64) is displaced from the central opening (68) and a closed position in which the
cap closure surface (66) closes the central opening (68),
the adapter (62) having at least one first ramped surface (80, 82) being ramped relative
to the adapter closure surface (66) and the cap (64) having at least one second ramped
surface (102, 104) being ramped relative the cap closure surface (92), the or each
first ramped surface (80, 82) sliding relative to the or each second ramped surface
(102, 104) when the cap (64) slides into the closed position,
wherein one of the cap (64) and the adapter (62) has opposed slots (84, 86) extending
generally parallel therein and having a slot stop (110) at one end, and the other
of the cap (64) and the adapter (62) has respective pins (106, 108) located in the
slots (84, 86), the pins (106, 108) and slots (84, 86) retaining the cap (64) on the
adapter (62) in the opened position, and
the or each first ramped surface (80, 82) sliding relative to the or each second ramped
surface (102, 104) when the pins (106, 108) are moved into the slots (84, 86), thereby
causing the cap (64) and the adapter (62) to press against each other as the cap (64)
slides into the closed position.
3. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 2, having a pair of first ramped surfaces,
each comprising a downwardly-facing ramped surface (80, 82) defined by a lip (76,
78) projecting outwardly from a respective pair of outwardly-facing side surfaces
(72, 74) of the adapter (62), and
a pair of second ramped surfaces, each comprising an upwardly-facing ramped surface
(102, 104) defined by a lip (98, 100) projecting inwardly from a respective pair of
side members (94, 96) extending down from opposing edges of a top member (90) of the
cap (64), the top member (90) including the cap closure surface (92).
4. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the pair of outwardly-facing
side surfaces (72, 74) of the adapter (62) has one of the slots (84, 86) extending
generally parallel to the adapter closure surface (66), and
each side member (94, 96) of the cap (64) has one of the inwardly-projecting pins
(106, 108) positioned thereon to engage one of the slots (84, 86) in the adapter (62).
5. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the pair of outwardly-facing
side surfaces of the adapter (166) has one of the outwardly projecting pins (158,
160); and
each side member of the cap (164) has one of the slots (150, 152) extending generally
parallel to the cap closure surface (180).
6. A closure device (60) as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a resiliently
compressible sealing ply (182) which is positioned between the adapter closure surface
(174) and the cap closure surface (180) when the cap is in the closed position.
7. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sealing ply (182) is affixed
to the cap closure surface (180).
8. A closure device (60) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adapter (166)
is affixable on the container (148).
9. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adapter (166) has a cylindrical
hole therethrough, extending from the adapter closure surface (174) and having an
internal threaded region (170) for mating with an external threaded region (172) of
a container (148) adjacent the opening thereof.
10. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 9, located on a container (148) such that
an upper cylindrical lip (176) of the container (148) extends slightly above the adapter
closure surface (174) for contacting the cap closure surface (180).
11. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 10 when appended to claim 6 or claim 7,
wherein the lip (176) of the container (148) presses against the sealing ply (182).
12. A closure device (60) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cap closure surface (180)
has a recess (181) therein which is in juxtaposition with the container lip (176)
when the cap (164) is in the closed position, the sealing ply (182) being positioned
in the recess (181).
13. A closure device (60) as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising latch
means (404) for latching the cap (400) and the adapter (410) together and preventing
movement between the cap (400) and the adapter (410).
1. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) zum gezielten Verschließen der Öffnung (52) eines Behälters
(50), umfassend:
einen Adaptor (201), der so auf dem Behälter (50) angeordnet ist, dass die Öffnung
(52) des Behälters (50) innerhalb einer zentralen Öffnung in einer nach oben schauenden
Adaptorverschlussfläche (204) des Adaptors (201) ist; und
eine Kappe (205) mit einer nach unten schauenden Kappenverschlussfläche (206), die
quer verschiebbar ist über die Adaptorverschlussfläche (204) von einer geöffneten
Stellung, in der die Kappe (205) zur zentralen Öffnung versetzt ist, in eine verschlossene
Stellung, in der die Kappenverschlussfläche (206) die zentrale Öffnung verschließt,
wobei der Adaptor (201) eine erste ansteigende Fläche (204) besitzt und die Kappe
(203) eine zweite ansteigende Fläche (206), die erste ansteigende Fläche (204) verschieblich
ist gegenüber der zweiten ansteigenden Fläche (206), wird die Kappe (205) in die Verschlussposition
verschoben,
wobei die Kappe (205) oder der Adaptor (201) einander gegenüberliegende Schlitze (202)
besitzt, die in der Regel parallel im Teil verlaufen und an einem Ende ein Schlitzende
besitzen, und das jeweils andere Teil von Kappe (205) und Adaptor (201) entsprechende
Stifte (200) besitzt, die in den Schlitzen (202) angeordnet sind,
die Stifte (200) und Schlitze (202) die Kappe (205) auf dem Adaptor (201) in der offenen
und geschlossenen Stellung halten und kooperieren mit den jeweils ansteigenden Flächen
(204, 206), wird die Kappe (205) in die geschlossene Stellung verschoben, so dass
die Kappe (205) und der Adaptor (201) gegeneinander gedrückt werden,
wobei die erste ansteigende Fläche die Adaptorverschlussfläche (204) umfasst und die
zweite ansteigende Fläche die Kappenverschlussfläche (206).
2. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) zum gezielten Verschließen einer Öffnung (52) an einem
Behälter (50), umfassend
einen Adaptor (62), der auf dem Behälter (50) so angeordnet ist, dass die Öffnung
(52) des Behälters (50) innerhalb einer zentralen Öffnung (68) in einer nach oben
schauenden Adaptorverschlussfläche (66) des Adaptors (62) ist;
eine Kappe (64) mit einer nach unten schauenden Kappenverschlussfläche (92), die querverschieblich
ist über die Adaptorverschlussfläche (66) von einer geöffneten Stellung, in der die
Kappe (64) zur zentralen Öffnung (68) verschoben ist, in eine verschlossene Stellung,
in der die Kappenverschlussfläche (66) die zentrale Öffnung (68) verschließt,
wobei der Adaptor (62) mindestens eine erste ansteigende Fläche (80, 82) besitzt,
ansteigend gegenüber der Adaptorverschlussfläche, und die Kappe (64) mindestens eine
zweite ansteigende Fläche (102, 104) besitzt, ansteigend gegenüber der Kappenverschlussfläche
(92), der oder die ersten ansteigenden Flächen (80, 82) verschieblich sind zu der
oder den zweiten ansteigenden Flächen (102, 104), wird die Kappe (64) in die Verschlussposition
verschoben,
wobei die Kappe (64) oder der Adaptor (62) gegenüberliegende Schlitze (84, 86) hat,
die in der Regel parallel im Teil verlaufen und ein Schlitzende (110) an einem Ende
besitzen und das jeweils andere Teil von Kappe (64) und Adaptor (62) entsprechende
Stifte (106, 108) besitzt, die sich in den Schlitzen (84, 86) befinden, so dass die
Stifte (106, 108) und Schlitze (84, 86) die Kappe (64) auf dem Adaptor (62) in der
geöffneten Stellung halten, und
die oder die jeweils erste ansteigende Fläche (80, 82) verschieblich ist gegenüber
der oder der jeweiligen zweiten ansteigenden Fläche (102, 104), werden die Stifte
(106, 108) in die Schlitze (84, 86) verschoben, so dass die Kappe (64) und der Adaptor
(62) gegeneinander gedrückt werden, wird die Kappe (64) in die Verschlussposition
verschoben.
3. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 2, die ein Paar erster ansteigender Flächen
besitzt, die jeweils eine nach unten schauende ansteigende Fläche (80, 82) aufweisen,
welche von einer Lippe (76, 78) vorgegeben wird, die aus einem entsprechenden Paar
nach außen schauender Seitenflächen (72, 74) des Adaptors (62) nach außen vorragt
und
ein Paar zweiter ansteigender Flächen, die jeweils eine nach oben schauende ansteigende
Fläche (102, 104) umfassen, die von einer Lippe (98, 100) vorgegeben werden, die nach
innen vorsteht aus einem entsprechenden Paar Seitenteile (94, 96), welche von den
entgegengesetzten Kanten eines Oberteils (90) der Kappe (64) nach unten verlaufen,
wobei das Oberteil (90) eine Kappenverschlussfläche (92) aufweist.
4. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Paar der nach außen schauenden
Seitenflächen (72, 74) des Adaptors (62) jeweils einen der Schlitze (84, 86) besitzt,
die im allgemeinen parallel zur Adaptorverschlussfläche (66) verlaufen, und
die Seitenteile (94, 96) der Kappe (64) jeweils einen der nach innen vorstehenden
Stifte (106, 108) haben, die so darauf angeordnet sind, dass sie mit einem der Schlitze
(84, 86) des Adaptors (62) eingreifen.
5. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Paare nach außen schauender
Seitenflächen des Adaptors (166) jeweils einen der nach außen vorstehenden Stifte
(158, 160) besitzen; und
die Seitenteile der Kappe (164) jeweils einen der Schlitze (150, 152) besitzt, die
im allgemeinen parallel zur Kappenverschlussfläche (180) verlaufen.
6. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, die zudem ein
nachgiebiges, komprimierbares Dichtungstuch (182) aufweist, das zwischen der Adaptorverschlussfläche
(174) und der Kappenverschlussfläche (180) angeordnet ist, befindet sich die Kappe
in der Verschlussstellung.
7. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 6, wobei das Dichtungstuch (182) an der Kappenverschlussfläche
(180) befestigt ist.
8. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei der Adaptor
(166) auf dem Behälter (148) befestigbar ist.
9. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 8, wobei der Adaptor (166) eine durchgehende
zylindrische Bohrung besitzt, die sich von der Adaptorverschlussfläche (174) erstreckt
und einen Innengewindeabschnitt (170) besitzt, der mit einem Außengewindeabschnitt
(172) des Behälters (148), benachbart zu dessen Öffnung, zusammenpasst.
10. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 9, die so auf einem Behälter (148) angeordnet
ist, dass eine obere zylindrische Lippe (176) des Behälters (148) kurz oberhalb der
Adaptorverschlussfläche (174) verläuft und die Kappenverschlussfläche (180) kontaktiert.
11. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 10, wenn abhängig von Anspruch 6 oder Anspruch
7, wobei die Lippe (176) des Behälters (148) gegen das Dichtungstuch (182) drückt.
12. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Kappenverschlussfläche (180)
eine Vertiefung (181) darin hat, welche an die Behälterlippe (176) angrenzt, ist die
Kappe (164) in der Verschlussstellung, wobei das Dichtungstuch (182) sich in der Vertiefung
(181) befindet.
13. Verschlussvorrichtung (60) nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, die zudem eine
Riegeleinrichtung (404) aufweist zum Verriegeln der Kappe (400) mit dem Adaptor (410),
so dass eine Bewegung zwischen Kappe (400) und Adaptor (410) verhindert ist.
1. Dispositif de fermeture (60) pour fermer de manière sélective une ouverture (52) dans
un conteneur (50), le dispositif de fermeture (60) comprenant:
un adaptateur (201) disposé sur le conteneur (50) de telle sorte que l'ouverture (52)
du conteneur (50) soit située à l'intérieur d'une ouverture centrale, dans une surface
de fermeture d'adaptateur (204) de l'adaptateur (201), tournée vers le haut et
un bouchon (205) avec une surface de fermeture de bouchon (206) tournée vers le bas
qui peut coulisser transversalement sur la surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (204)
entre une position ouverte dans laquelle le bouchon (205) est éloigné de l'ouverture
centrale et une position fermée dans laquelle la surface de fermeture de bouchon (206)
ferme l'ouverture centrale,
l'adaptateur (201) comportant une première surface formant rampe (204) et le bouchon
(205) comportant une seconde surface formant rampe (206), la première surface formant
rampe (204) glissant sur la seconde surface formant rampe (206) lorsque le bouchon
(205) coulisse dans la position fermée,
caractérisé par le fait que l'un des éléments parmi le bouchon (205) et l'adaptateur
(201) comporte des fentes (202) opposées qui s'étendent essentiellement parallèlement
dans ledit élément et présentent une butée à une extrémité et l'autre élément parmi
le bouchon (205) et l'adaptateur (201) comporte des ergots (200) correspondants qui
pénètrent dans les fentes (202),
les ergots (200) et les fentes (202) retenant le bouchon (205) sur l'adaptateur (201)
dans les positions ouverte et fermée et coopérant avec chacune des surfaces formant
rampes (204, 206), lorsque le bouchon (205) coulisse dans la position fermée, afin
de presser l'un contre l'autre le bouchon (205) et l'adaptateur (201),
par le fait que la première surface formant rampe comprend la surface de fermeture
d'adaptateur (204) et la seconde surface formant rampe comprend la surface de fermeture
de bouchon (206).
2. Dispositif de fermeture (60) pour fermer de manière sélective une ouverture (52) dans
un conteneur (50), le dispositif de fermeture (60) comprenant:
un adaptateur (62) disposé sur le conteneur (50) de telle sorte que l'ouverture (52)
du conteneur (50) soit située à l'intérieur d'une ouverture centrale (68), dans une
surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (66) de l'adaptateur (62), tournée vers le haut
et
un bouchon (64) avec une surface de fermeture de bouchon (92) tournée vers le bas,
qui peut coulisser transversalement sur la surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (66),
entre une position ouverte dans laquelle le bouchon (64) est éloigné de l'ouverture
centrale (68) et une position fermée dans laquelle la surface de fermeture de bouchon
(92) ferme l'ouverture centrale (68),
l'adaptateur (62) comportant au moins une première surface formant rampe (80, 82)
inclinée par rapport à la surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (66) et le bouchon (64)
comportant au moins une seconde surface formant rampe (102, 104) inclinée par rapport
à la surface de fermeture de bouchon (92), la ou chaque première surface formant rampe
(80, 82) glissant sur la seconde surface formant rampe (102, 104) lorsque le bouchon
(64) coulisse dans la position fermée,
caractérisé par le fait que l'un des éléments parmi le bouchon (64) et l'adaptateur
(62) comporte des fentes (84, 86) opposées qui s'étendent essentiellement parallèlement
dans ledit élément et présentent une butée (110) à une extrémité et l'autre élément
parmi le bouchon (64) et l'adaptateur (62) comporte des ergots (106, 108) correspondants
qui pénètrent dans les fentes (84, 86) et retiennent le bouchon (64) sur l'adaptateur
(62) dans la position ouverte,
la ou chaque première surface formant rampe coulissant par rapport à la ou à chaque
seconde surface formant rampe (102, 104), lorsque les ergots (106, 108) se déplacent
dans les fentes (84, 86), et pressant l'un contre l'autre le bouchon (64) et l'adaptateur
(62) lorsque le bouchon (64) coulisse dans la position fermée.
3. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 2, comportant une paire de premières
surfaces formant rampes avec chacune une surface formant rampe (80, 82) tournée vers
le bas qui est définie par une lèvre (76, 78) faisant saillie en direction de l'extérieur
à partir d'une paire associée de surfaces latérales (72, 74) tournées vers l'extérieur
de l'adaptateur (62) et
une paire de secondes surfaces formant rampes avec chacune une surface formant rampe
(102, 104) tournée vers le haut, qui est définie par une lèvre (98, 100) faisant saillie
en direction de l'intérieur à partir d'une paire associée d'éléments latéraux (94,
96) qui s'étendent vers le bas à partir de bords opposés d'un élément supérieur (90)
du bouchon (64), l'élément supérieur (90) comprenant la surface de fermeture de bouchon
(92).
4. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que
chacune des paires de surfaces latérales (72, 74) tournées vers l'extérieur de l'adaptateur
(62) comporte une des fentes (84, 86) qui s'étend essentiellement parallèlement à
la surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (66) et
que chaque élément (94, 96) du bouchon (64) comporte un des ergots (106, 108) faisant
saillie vers l'intérieur, positionné de manière à pénétrer dans une des fentes (84,
86) dans l'adaptateur (62).
5. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que
chacune des paires de surfaces latérales tournées vers l'extérieur de l'adaptateur
(166) comporte un des ergots (158, 160) faisant saillie vers l'extérieur et
que chaque élément latéral sur le bouchon (164) comporte une des fentes (150, 152)
qui s'étend essentiellement parallèlement à la surface de fermeture de bouchon (180).
6. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon une des revendications précédentes comprenant en
outre une garniture d'étanchéité (182) élastiquement compressible, qui est disposée
entre la surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (174) et la surface de fermeture de bouchon
(180) lorsque le bouchon est en position fermée.
7. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé par le fait que
la garniture d'étanchéité (182) est fixée à la surface de fermeture de bouchon (180).
8. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé
par le fait que l'adaptateur (166) peut être fixé sur le conteneur (148).
9. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 8, caractérisé par le fait que
l'adaptateur (166) présente un trou traversant qui s'étend à partir de la surface
de fermeture d'adaptateur (174) et comporte une zone à filetage intérieur (170) qui
s'adapte sur une zone à filetage extérieur (172) d'un conteneur (148) adjacent à l'ouverture
de l'adaptateur.
10. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 9 placé sur un conteneur (148)
de telle sorte qu'une lèvre supérieure cylindrique (176) du conteneur (148) s'étende
légèrement au-dessus de la surface de fermeture d'adaptateur (174) pour venir en contact
avec la surface de fermeture de bouchon (180).
11. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 10 rattachée à la revendication
6 ou la revendication 7, caractérisé par le fait la lèvre (176) du conteneur (148)
est pressée contre la garniture d'étanchéité (182).
12. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon la revendication 11, caractérisé par le fait que
la surface de fermeture de bouchon (180) comporte un évidement (181) qui est disposé
à côté de la lèvre de conteneur (176) lorsque le bouchon (164) est en position fermée,
la garniture d'étanchéité (182) étant disposée dans l'évidement (181).
13. Dispositif de fermeture (60) selon une des revendications précédentes comprenant en
outre des moyens d'encliquetage (404) pour encliqueter le bouchon (400) et l'adaptateur
(410) l'un avec l'autre et empêcher des déplacements entre le bouchon (400) et l'adaptateur
(410).